This evidence might prove Jamal was worried for Angela, not out to hurt her. Without Jamal by my side, and with Angela gone, I know the only evidence left is that memory card.

I tuck Angela’s phone in the hidden compartment of my purse. Pull out the burner and ask Jamal about the memory card, hoping his answer reveals one of three things.

1. He has it.
2. He gave it to Quincy.
3. He left it at Herron Media.

SNITCHES GET STITCHES

The last place I want to be is school. The media, the students, even the teachers make it hard. But these are things I swallow. No choice to shy away if I ever stand the chance of discovering Angela’s exposé. I arrive at school, thankful there’s only one camera in sight. The rest gone since the memorial at school on Monday.

I mentally check off my list of people I need to talk to and set my goals of what I’m trying to accomplish today. Angela and Chris were always locked up together. That’s why it was shocking when I saw her with Jamal. A secret like that she had to have told Mandy; she was Angela’s best friend. Maybe also Natalie, the new editor of the paper. I despise her now. Still, she might know something. The chances she’ll help me are slim, but I gotta try. For Jamal.

Then there’s Jamal’s friends. Quincy at least fessed up to seeing Jamal. But Cuddy and Demarcus on the track team have been silent. Claim they know nothing. That can’t be true. They had to at least know about Jamal and Angela.

I make my entrance through the west gate, my new escape into school. I’m also hoping to catch Cuddy and Demarcus coming in from early track practice. I’ve got my Know Your Rights workshop flyers in hand as a way to start a conversation.

I smile when I see Quincy waiting on the other side of the gate.

“How’d you know I’d be coming through this door?” I ask Quincy.

“How do you know I’m waiting for you?” His eyes twinkle when he gives a side grin.

“Tell me you’re not?”

“Hey, I gotta make sure you get into school safely. I’m a gentleman.”

“Ha!” I playfully punch his arm. “I was planning on talking to Cuddy and Demarcus, but I’m glad you’re here. Do you know anything about an exposé Angela was working on, maybe with Jamal, leading up to the Susan Touric interview?”

“Susan Touric’s show?” Quincy’s voice goes flat. “That’s what you want to talk about?”

I trust Quincy won’t betray Jamal, so I tell him everything I found on Angela’s phone.

“He…he was looking into some stuff. I don’t wanna say.” Quincy looks over his shoulder, his hands shoved in his light hoodie.